The shift to remote and hybrid work has brought significant changes to how we collaborate as a team and complete projects, especially in the world of architecture and engineering. Whether your customer is sitting across the table from you or logged into a video meeting, you want to ensure you are still delivering a reliable and noteworthy final product.
With the rise in technology, growing demands for sustainability, and changing client needs, the ability to work from anywhere in the world is one of the greatest geographical benefits for employees, according to BetterPros. Complex projects can require collaboration between numerous teams and people. This can vary on the different phases of the project as well. The flexibility to work with your clients from anywhere at any time is invaluable.
THE CHALLENGES
Even though the remote and hybrid work environment allow for greater flexibility, the demands of architectural and engineering projects have continued to remain the same, according to ArchDaily, and in some cases, increased, forcing a change in our technological investments and mindsets.
One of the challenges for remote and hybrid work with clients around the world is keeping intellectual property (IP) and client data secure while collaborating across home and business networks, AutoDesk states. Having a data strategy as a company is key to be efficient and remain as a trusted partner.
THE BENEFITS
Decreased Operational Costs
When collaborating remotely, there’s the opportunity to save money. In the past, meetings and design reviews with customers used to be all in person and would require the entire design team and government team to be in the same place for multiple days at a time. What would usually require travel, booking a hotel, and factoring in meals can now be hosted virtually.
Increased Productivity
You and your team are spending less time traveling and more time working or collaborating with team members, partners, and customers.
Flexibility
In the past, employees would have to worry about timing. Meetings can now be scheduled during all times of the day without worrying about traffic, long commutes, out of town travel, or even time differences.
Reduced Risk of Disruption
More time is being spent on the work and less on other distractions. Factors including weather, travel delays, environmental elements, and even pandemics can be handled better with a remote strategy.
Secure Cloud Platforms
Teams can work remotely using client authorized cloud-based platforms for secure communication, collaborating, and productivity applications.
One Office Mindset
Even before the COVID Pandemic hit, Mason & Hanger has been operating under a one office model, where we have multiple locations but function together as one office and team. This has allowed us to stay agile and pivot to remote or hybrid working in a seamless fashion.
USING TECHNOLOGY TO OUR ADVANTAGE
Technology is changing the architectural and engineering industries. The new digital tools available allow us to meet virtually and even collaborate at different times of the day. These advancements provide the ability to complete even the most challenging projects on time and within budget. Teams who collaborate while using the latest technology to remain flexible deliver high quality work and will be sought out to resolve problems on projects that others do not want. Staying up to date with the latest tools and applications is essential for success and collaboration. It is important that we evolve with the technology to stay competitive and reliable with our clients and partners.
